Department for Transport

Railways: Fares

Lord Snape: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place with independent rail retailers such as (1) SilverRail, (2) Trainline, and (3) Worldline, about future rail fare simplification.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We have been clear in the Plan for Rail White Paper that we want to simplify the current mass of complicated fares and tickets, whilst protecting affordable turn up and go tickets and season tickets. We are engaging with wider industry, including independent rail retailers, as part of this work.

Great British Railways

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 21 October (HL2517), what costs have so far been incurred by the Great British Railways Transition Team.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Accounts will be published after the end of the financial year.

A303: Stonehenge

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask His Majesty's Government, if the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme does go ahead, to whom would any compensatory payment be made for compulsory acquisition of land in Bow Tie Field at Stonehenge.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Compensation may only be paid to those with a qualifying interest in the land subject to the compulsory purchase order (CPO). A qualifying person is an owner, lessee, occupier or tenant of land within the CPO.In the case of the Bow Tie Field at Stonehenge, The National Trust, as owners, would receive compensation for the compulsory acquisition of the land.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy

Baroness Whitaker: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the CSIRO report Dispatchability and energy storage costs for complementary wave, wind, and solar PV systems, published on 27 September, and (2)the potential for wave energy to assist with maintaining grid stability in the UK as the share of renewable energy increases.

Lord Callanan: Analysis has confirmed the predictability, resilience and potential cost-effectiveness of marine energy, which could play a key role in delivering net zero, as noted in the cited report. The Government is pleased that, at the last contracts for difference auction, four tidal stream projects were successful. The Department continues to explore options to increase the production of wave and tidal energy, including innovative funding mechanisms.

Cabinet Office

AUKUS

Lord Rogan: To ask His Majesty's Government whatdiscussions the Prime Minister has held with the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of Australia regarding the AUKUS agreement.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Prime Minister holds frequent discussions with both President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese on a range of security and defence matters including AUKUS.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

Hereditary Peers: By-elections

Lord Grocott: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what has been the (1) individual, and (2) total, cost of the five most recent hereditary peer by-elections in the House of Lords.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The costs incurred in conducting the five most recent hereditary peer by-elections are set out in the table below. Three of these ballots were for two vacancies.  DateCost (inclusive of VAT)Rotherwick, L. – ConservativeMarch 2022£420Brabazon of Tara, L., Swinfen, L. (combined) – ConservativeJuly 2022£600Ullswater, V., Colwyn, L. (combined) – Whole HouseOctober 2022£900Listowel, E. – CrossbenchOctober 2022£390Astor of Hever, L., Home, E. (combined) – ConservativeOctober 2022£600TOTAL £2,910These costs represent the fees to be paid to Civica, the contractor that supports the Administration in conducting by-elections. They exclude the cost of time spent by House of Lords staff, for whom such work forms part of their normal duties, which cannot therefore be costed separately.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Alaa Abd El-Fattah

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Egypt over the continuing imprisonment of the British Citizen, Alaa Abd El-Fattah; which government officials they made such representations to; and with what success.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Since Mr El-Fattah's sentencing in December 2021 there have been numerous representations made by the UK Government concerning his imprisonment, welfare and lack of consular access. These include, most recently, the Foreign Secretary raising his case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 21 September, the previous Prime Minister raising the case with President Sisi during a call on 25 August, and FCDO Minister for Africa, raising the case with the Egyptian Ambassador on 13 October 2022 and with Foreign Minister Shoukry during her visit to Cairo on 19 October 2022. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah.

Alaa Abd El-Fattah

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the consequences the (1) imprisonment of, and (2) lack of consular access to, Alaa Abd El-Fattah could have on the COP 27 conference in Egypt.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Since his sentencing in December 2021, the UK Government have consistently called on the Egyptian Government to grant consular access to Alaa Abd El-Fattah and continues to raise his case at the highest levels in order to obtain his release. The UK Government's efforts regarding COP 27 are vital for our wider climate objectives and are an opportunity to cement Glasgow's legacy. The UK have been in close dialogue with Egypt at both Ministerial and official levels to accelerate global climate action, deliver the Glasgow Climate Pact and secure an impactful COP27.

Alaa Abd El-Fattah

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask His Majesty's Government how many successful consular visits they have paid to Alaa Abd El-Fattah in prison in Cairo this year; on what occasions; and how many visits they have (1) paid, or (2) attempted, since his hunger strike began on 2 May.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Since his sentencing in December 2021, consular staff have been unable to visit Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah in prison due to a lack of permission from the Egyptian authorities. FCDO officials have consistently called on the Egyptian Government to grant consular access to Alaa Abd El-Fattah after his obtaining British citizenship in December 2021. The first request was submitted to the Egyptian authorities on 20 December 2021. There have been a number of follow-up requests submitted at the highest levels, most recently during the visit to Cairo by the FCDO Minister for Africa, who raised his case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 19 October 2022.

Alaa Abd El-Fattah

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made any impact assessment of the effect of the (1) imprisonment, and (2) treatment, of Alaa Abd El-Fattah on the UK's (a) political, and (b) cultural, relations with Egypt; and whether such an impact assessment has been communicated to the government of Egypt.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government continues to raise Alaa Abd El Fattah's case at the highest levels of the Egyptian Government, including in the Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 21 September and the Minister for Africa's meeting in Cairo with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 19 October. It is the strength of our bilateral relationship with Egypt that allows us to speak frankly about sensitive issues and human rights, and to be able to raise them when we have concerns.

Iran: Christianity

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent treatment of Christian minorities in Iran.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. In July of this year, the UK hosted the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference, which provided an important platform for discussion of religious rights in Iran. We continue to assess that Christians in Iran, particularly recent converts, face arrest, harassment and unfair detention. We raise our concerns with the Iranian authorities on these and other human rights issues at all appropriate opportunities. We continue to work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account for its poor human rights record, including through the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the UN General Assembly in New York.

India: Freedom of Religion

Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they will make to (1) the government of India, and (2) its High Commission in London, concerning the approval of the Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religion Act; and in particular about that Act’s compatibility with the protections for freedom of religion in the constitution of India.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We raise human rights issues directly with the Indian government, where we have them. The UK Government is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief for all and promoting respect and understanding between different religious and non-religious communities. We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief, regardless of the country or faith involved. Any reports of discrimination against religious minorities are a matter for the Indian police and legal system. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our Deputy High Commissions across India regularly meet with religious representatives and official figures.

China: Detainees

The Lord Bishop of Guildford: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China regarding recent reports that at least 10 leaders from unregistered Protestant churches were arrested and charged with fraud over normal church financial activities in 2021, including Zhang Chunlei, Yang Xiaoguang, and Hao Ming.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We are monitoring recent reports of the detention of a number of church leaders in China, which highlight the severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China. We regularly raise the human rights situation in China directly with the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary did so in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on 20 September.

Ministry of Defence

Defence: Expenditure

Lord Rogan: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect that their commitment to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030 will have on the number UK service personnel.

Baroness Goldie: Defence is re-organising and re-equipping to face future threats, however, as the Secretary of State has stated, as the threat changes, we need to change with it. The 2021 Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper highlighted that we must focus on capabilities rather than troop numbers. Information regarding the Government’s spending plans are currently due to be announced in the Autumn Statement on 17 November. It would not be appropriate for the MOD to pre-empt the Chancellor’s statement.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food Supply

Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to encourage local authorities to support (1) local food networks, and (2) farmers’ markets.

Lord Benyon: We have a Manifesto commitment to encourage people at home and abroad to Buy British. We will always champion our farmers and producers and support their efforts to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of excellent British food to the public.HM Government is working closely with local authorities, from Cornwall to Northumberland, to support rural economies. We are working closely on the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which launched on 3 September 2022. This is a rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and supports HM Government’s Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure, which should help to improve productivity and growth in rural areas and strengthen the rural economy by supporting local jobs. Among other things, the Fund is aimed at encouraging farm businesses to consider diversifying their economic activity, including through support for initiatives such as community-owned shops that provide a platform to showcase local food and drink.We also continue to work closely with local enterprise partnerships, as well as businesses and representative organisations, through regular engagement, regional workshop events, masterclasses and other events to develop local food and drink networks, promote local products and share best practice. As part of this engagement, we produced a ‘how to’ guide for businesses aimed at securing the benefits of selling their products at farmers’ markets.

Arable Farming

Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce financial incentives for farmers to use (1) leguminous, and (2) deep-rooting, plants in crop rotations.

Lord Benyon: British farmers are world-leaders and carefully plan their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. It is not HM Government policy to dictate which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their rotation but there are some incentives if they do choose to grow leguminous or deep rooting crops, recognising and rewarding the environmental benefits these bring. Applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) opened from 30th June 2022 for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) eligible farmers. In the arable and horticultural soils standard for 2022 we will pay farmers for adding organic matter and minimising bare ground over winter. Winter cover and the addition of organic matter can be achieved by growing a number of crops including legumes. In the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, we have options which pay farmers to sow legume fallows and to establish and maintain legume rich swards in grassland.

Agriculture: Energy and Food Supply

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support British farmers (1) with the increasing cost of energy, and (2) to ensure food security.

Lord Benyon: We will continue to support our farmers and growers through these difficult times. Our Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a welcome price reduction to ensure that all eligible businesses, including farming businesses, are protected from excessively high energy bills over the coming winter period. We will also be supporting businesses to improve their energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2030, delivering up to £6 billion in cost savings by 2030. In addition to this, Defra have taken a number of steps to support British farmers with increasing costs, including bringing forward 50% of the BPS payment and delaying changes to the use of urea fertiliser. We have also established the UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group which monitors all key agricultural commodities to help inform HM Government policy. Regarding food security, COVID-19 and its subsequent supply chain impacts demonstrated that the UK has a highly resilient food supply chain. We recognise the importance of food security and have well-established ways of working closely with the industry to monitor risks. The first UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) was published in December 2021 which recognised the contribution made by British farmers to our resilience. The report concluded that the UK produces about 60% of domestic food consumption by economic value and has further production capacity, providing that the right market conditions are available. The UK’s import sources are also diverse, with no one country providing more than 11% of our imports in 2020. The report and its conclusions serve as a strong evidence base for future policies pertaining to the UK’s food security.

Cats: Imports

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask His Majesty's Government how many cats have beenimported this year under the Balai Directive; and from which countries those cats originated.

Lord Benyon: Since we left the EU, the EU import data for 2021 and 2022 was collated from PIMS which is APHA’s Post Import Management System and accounts for all Imports into the United Kingdom that have been entered using IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed system). This information is drawn from the external IPAFF’s system not directly controlled by the department. From 14th April 2022 the United Kingdom temporarily suspended the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originated from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, until 29th October 2022. January-September 2022Country Of OriginTotalAustria1Belgium15Bulgaria115Croatia32Cyprus392Czech Republic22Denmark5England3Estonia3France17Germany28Greece42Hungary94Ireland (Rep. of)1Italy18Latvia155Lithuania107Netherlands11Poland208Portugal32Romania705Slovakia17Spain339Sweden2Switzerland3Antigua and Barbuda6Argentina7Australia140Bahamas4Barbados1Bahrain124Bermuda6Brazil59Brunei3Canada81Cayman Islands12Chile3China31Colombia12Costa Rica2Egypt357Georgia1Ghana2Hong Kong29India46Indonesia5Israel2Japan8Jordan2Kenya9Korea (South)18Kuwait22Lebanon8Malaysia33Mauritius6Mexico12Myanmar2Namibia2New Zealand85North Macedonia9Oman5Pakistan2Peru1Philippines2Qatar106Russia48Saint Lucia1Saudi Arabia67Seychelles1Singapore39South Africa348Taiwan2Thailand43Turkey15UAE1043Uganda1USA256Vietnam4Zimbabwe18Total5518

Pet Travel Scheme: Cats

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask His Majesty's Government how many cats have been imported under the Pet Travel Scheme for each month of this year for which figures are available.

Lord Benyon: The number of cats imported through the Pet Travel Scheme in each month from 1st January 2022 to 31st August 2022 is as follows: 2022Total number of cats imported under the pet travel schemeJanuary 2,587February 1,886March 1,367April 2,310May 1,903June2,161July 2,354August 3,915The data regarding the Pet Travel Scheme covers pets entering the United Kingdom and is based on information provided by checkers employed by approved carriers of pet animals. This information is drawn from the external Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) and Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) which are not directly controlled by the department.

Avian Influenza: Disease Control

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with the (1) treatment, and (2) prevention, of bird flu since the establishment of a research consortium on the issue announced on 20 June.

Lord Benyon: Defra’s approach to avian influenza is set out in the Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain supported by the Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales. Current policy reflects our experience of responding to past outbreaks of exotic animal disease and is in line with international standards of best practice for disease control. Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. Our approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) leads HM Government action on animal disease control and alongside HM Government’s continued investment in the Avian Influenza National Reference Laboratory and APHA’s Weybridge site; earlier this year an eight-strong consortium ‘FluMap’ led by APHA and funded by Defra and the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) was launched that received £1.5 million in funding to develop new strategies to tackle avian influenza outbreaks. This year-long research project will help build our understanding in a number of key areas, including why the current virus strains have formed larger and longer outbreaks and understanding transmission and infection in different bird populations. The research gaps addressed by the consortium were identified from the recent STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium Animal Influenza Research Review and knowledge gaps identified during recent avian influenza outbreaks. The STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium is a global initiative aiming to coordinate research programmes at the international level and to contribute to the development of new and improved animal health strategies for priority diseases, infections and issues. The research consortium will report in due course, as this is a year-long programme of work, but Defra officials have regular meetings with the consortium members to monitor progress. Defra’s approach to avian influenza prevention and control considers the latest ornithological, epidemiological, veterinary and other scientific advice. However, once a bird has been infected with the influenza virus, there is no treatment available. The virus spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks and causes a very high level of mortality in gallinaceous poultry. Defra will continue to monitor the situation both in Europe and globally, and the effectiveness of any disease control measures taken and will consider developments from both 'FluMap' and the wider research programmes at APHA, and other academic institutions when reviewing the effectiveness of our current approach to avian influenza.

Home Office

Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: To ask His Majesty's Government when they will appoint the nextIndependent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC), as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.The process to recruit a new IASC follows the principles set out within the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.A decision on the appointment is under consideration.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Fuel Poverty: Isle of Man

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the Community Warm Spaces Fund in the Isle of Man; and what plans they have to implement a similar scheme in England and Wales.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Domestic and non-domestic energy users across the UK, will be protected from excessively high energy bills through our Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Relief Scheme.The warm hubs in the Isle of Man are a fantastic example of the way faith and community groups can work together with the local authorities to provide support and help for their communities. Decisions on what services are delivered in community hubs are rightly taken at a local level. The Government has made no specific assessment of the Community Warm Spaces Fund. The Right Reverent Prelate, the Bishop of St Albans is extremely welcome to write to us with any points he thinks are worthy of further consideration.

Private Rented Housing: Evictions

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with their plans to end section 21 eviction notices.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home. The Prime Minister has committed to the ban on Section 21 'no fault' evictions to protect tenants. Ensuring a fair deal for renters remains a priority for the government and we will legislate in this Parliament.

Rented Housing

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to introduce the Renters Reform Bill; and, given the increase in mortgage costs may lead to tenants spending longer in rented accommodation, what consideration they have given to bringing forward their timetable for seeking to get the Bill passed.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home, and the Prime Minister is committed to the ban on section 21 no-fault evictions to protect tenants. Ensuring a fair deal for renters remains a priority for the Government. We will legislate in this parliament.

Northern Ireland Office

Proscribed Organisations: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, and (2) the relationship between the IRA Army Council and Sinn Féin.

Lord Caine: An Assessment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland was commissioned in 2015 by the UK Government in order to provide a factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the PSNI on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) was established to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland, and to report on and inform the implementation of the NI Executive’s Action Plan for Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime. The Fourth Report of the IRC is available here:https://www.ircommission.org/sites/irc/files/media-files/IRC%20Fourth%20Report%20web%20accessible_0.pdf It is a matter of public record that the structures of a number of paramilitary groups still exist in Northern Ireland - that includes the Provisional IRA. The IRA, including the Provisional IRA, remains a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. Where any criminality exists, I am clear that it should be dealt with fully by the police.

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government how many abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; how many were (1) surgical, and (2) through the prescription of pills; and what are the current arrangements in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland for surgical abortion.

Lord Caine: The latest publicly available data shows that between 1 April 2020 and 22 September 2022, a total of 4,136 notifications of termination were submitted to the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland. Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland currently provide early medical abortion services up to ten weeks gestation. Information on the current arrangements for surgical abortions performed in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland is held by the Department of Health. On Monday 24 October, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced that the UK Government will commission abortion services in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State will be meeting the Chief Executives of each of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks to discuss arrangements and ensure services can be provided.